Christlike Possibility

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Title – The Possibility

I am jumping ahead of where we ended last week.

We will come back to Ephesians 4:20-24

This week I want to looked at this idea of becoming “imitators of God.”

SEGWAY:

If you are like me I am a big “list maker” or a “To Do list” person.

When we go somewhere like Wal-Mart or on a camping trip we have to make a list.

90% of people who make a list start by giving it a title:

And then we list out the things associated with it.

Chapter 5:1-2 can be viewed as the title of a list, “Becoming an Imitator of God.”

There were a few things that need to be pointed out before we could dive into this understanding of being an “Imitator of God.”

The list of qualities need to be classified as an Imitator of God is not found in Chapter 5:3-14.

Its important to read this so you can understand why I am saying this:

Ephesians 5:3–14 (ESV)

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.

This is pretty good list wouldn’t you say?

Ephesians 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God, …..” ,ay be located at the begging of verse 3-14 but this doesn’t mean its the title of the list.

So why isn’t this the list?

Let me point out the two reasons 5:3-14 is not the list!

First, is the word “Therefore!”

Paul points us to the list by the (MARKER or) first word we see in the (ESV) translation of (5:1) “Therefore!”

We learned that the word “Therefore” is translated in the english from 4 different Greek word in Ephesians ….

Dio - relatively emphatic markers of result, usually denoting the fact that the inference is self-evident—‘therefore, for this reason, for this very reason, so then. (Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”)

Anti - a marker of reason, with the possible implication of purpose—‘because, for this reason, for the purpose of. (Ephesians 5:31 ““Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.””)

Dia - a marker of a participant constituting the cause or reason for an event or state—‘because of, on account of, for this reason. (Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”)

But the one we are looking at in 5:1 is OUN which is implying the conclusion of a process of reasoning.

This marker, “Therefore” is the conclusion of a list.

With this knowledge then we can see that the list for becoming “Imitators of God” is not found afterwards but before it.

(You understand what is being revealed?)

The List is found in Chapter 4:25-32

This is the first reason ……… The second reason 5:3-14 could not be the list is because it points out what God is not!

Not a Sexual being

Does not Speak negatively

Is not naïve (fooled)

Does not Change

So the overall sequence is laid out by Paul (The proper order).

The nature of God (Ephesians 4:25-32)

Calling us to Imitate God (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Instructions that will assist us in our “humanness” as we imitate God (Ephesians 5:3-14)

We concluded with the understanding that in order to be “Imitators of God” we must have a Nature Change and that can only come from Christ dwelling inside of us.

The Christian life must be radically different from the old life.

THE BODY:

Another interesting thing that needs to be pointed out before we can dive into THE LIST is the fact that in the Greek the first word found 5:1 is not “Therefore!”

PAUSE

The first word in the Greek is “BE” ….. (ginomai) – pronounced “Gin-o-my”

It means in the literal sense become, originate, come into existence.

(Illustration: “Come into his own, right before our eyes.”)

I looked up the phrase "Come into one's own!"

It means that somebody has finally established his-self/her-self after a period of trials and struggles.

The grammar is what’s important to look at in this passage.

The word “be” is a verb. (DEFINE a VERB)

There are three nouns in verse 1 (Imitators, God, & children)

This verb is relating to the word “Imitators” (not “Be God”)

It is a present verb: the verb tense where the writer portrays an action in process with no completion (end) implied.

Not an “end result” but a “continuation of.”

Example: (Be Good, Be Faithful …. Not just this one time but from now on.)

Not only is the word “Be” a present verb but ……

It is an imperative: It expresses a Command, attention, or polite request.

It states the possibility not the reality.

Not a guarantee but a possibility.

Whats the possibility?

Matthew 5:45 “so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

What does this mean?

We can become “Imitators of God!”

It is possible!

We can’t say, “I cannot do this!” “This is not possible!”

Yes you can do it

and Yes it is possible!

Our final definition for the word “Be”: the possibility of coming into existence and continuing to be.

What this is saying to (US) is …..

Everything we have just read Ephesians 4:25-32 (THEREFORE) the list, is possible for us to “be” (Come into existence), to help us to transformed into.

We are to look at this, not just as a command but also, as something that is POSSIBLE.

So understanding this we need to look at the phrase “imitator of God.”

IMITATOR

The word “imitator” is where we get the English word “mimic.”

I looked at this saying and wondered why Paul phrased it the way he did?

“Be imitators of God”

The grammar reveals the answer.

The word Imitator is used as a noun not a verb.

Verb – reveals the sense of being an “ACTOR!”

Example (Kids acting like dogs, princess or army men)

Noun – reveals the sense of being a “FOLLOWER!”

Example (A son following in his dad’s footsteps, Disciples following in Jesus’ footsteps)

We should not aspire to be “Like Christ!”

We should aspire to be “CHRISTLIKE!”

Being Like Christ can be viewed as being “an actor!”

Being CHRISTLIKE is viewed as being “a follower.”

Illustration of a son imitating (following in his fathers footsteps) his fathers mannerisms, his actions, his responses, his thought process.

CLIMAX:

Go back to the beginning of this verse 5:1

Definition of “BE” - the possibility of coming into existence and continuing to be

Definition of “IMITATORS” - Followers

Paul is teaching us that what we became at conversion we must diligently continue to be thereafter.

CONCLUSION:

Do you find yourself trying to be “Like Christ?”

Or

Do you long to be “CHRISTLIKE?”